Chi Yue asked her, “Does Third Aunt really think she was wrong?”  

Gu Xiaohua nodded. “Yes, truly. I really know I was wrong.”  

Chi Yue lifted her hand to wipe away nonexistent tears from the corners of her eyes. “Alright, since Third Aunt acknowledges her mistake, I won’t dwell on it either.”  

Gu Xiaohua: “…”  

Chi Yue continued, “I’m not that petty. Since Third Aunt has sincerely apologized to me, I, with the magnanimity of a prime minister whose belly can sail a ship, will… postpone the divorce for now.”  

“I’ll keep living properly with Jingshen.”  

As soon as Chi Yue finished speaking, Wen Tang quickly chimed in, “As if anyone else is petty. If you’re not divorcing, then neither am I. Who says my belly can’t sail a ship? Mine can hold even more than yours.”  

After saying this, Wen Tang blinked rapidly at Chi Yue inside the room, then turned and shuffled her shoes as she headed toward the neighboring Gu family’s house.  

Gu Yanli immediately followed. Once they reached the neighboring yard, he swiftly grabbed her hand and led her all the way back to their room. After closing the door and encircling her in his arms, Gu Yanli looked down and asked, “Divorce? Hmm?”  

Wen Tang was still thinking of how to respond when—  

Smack! A spank landed on her bottom.  

The elasticity was excellent, and Gu Yanli was tempted to give another slap, but he held back for fear of angering her further.  

However, even one smack was enough to make Wen Tang furious.  

Gu Yanli hadn’t used much force, but Wen Tang felt this was utterly humiliating—what difference was there between this and spanking a misbehaving child?  

Seeing no difference, she stood on her tiptoes and bit his chin.  

She didn’t hold back, leaving a clear set of teeth marks on his chin.  

“How dare you hit me!”  

“Will you dare to do it again?”  

Gu Yanli immediately shook his head. “I won’t.”  

“Do you admit you were wrong?”  

“Yes, I do.”  

“Apologize!”  

“I’m sorry!”  

Wen Tang still felt some lingering anger, but Gu Yanli, eager to placate her, kept his demeanor humble. “I truly know I was wrong.”  

He even leaned his face closer. “If you’re still upset, you can bite me again.”  

“Hmph, I won’t bother biting you.”  

She refused, but Gu Yanli lowered his head and gently nipped her lips. “I’ll go heat up the food for you. Do you want to come out and eat, or should I bring it in?”  

“I’ll… come out,” she admitted, feeling genuinely hungry. At this point, she couldn’t afford to keep quarreling with Gu Yanli.  

No quarrel was worth skipping a meal over!  

After all, this era had no bubble tea, hotpot, takeout, or barbecue. If she missed a meal, she’d really have to go hungry.  

Wen Tang couldn’t help but pat her stomach. Without even needing to diet deliberately, she estimated that after a while in these conditions, she’d reach a new level of slimness from her current figure.  

Especially since she was also a picky eater!  

Life was even harder.  

Seeing her pat her stomach, Gu Yanli assumed she was starving and didn’t press further, turning to leave. “It’ll be ready soon.”  

As Gu Yanli stepped out, he happened to run into Gu Yinfeng, Gu Xiaohua, and Zhong Meixian—the mother-daughter trio returning from next door.  

Zhong Meixian immediately noticed the fresh bite mark on her son’s chin. Spotting it, she hurried over and grabbed his arm, asking in a hushed tone, “Did she…” She glanced toward his room and lowered her voice further. “Hit you?”  

Gu Yanli was momentarily stunned. Noticing everyone staring at his chin, he recalled the incident and lowered his eyelids, a hint of unspoken grievance flashing across his resolute face.

Zhong Meixian looked at her son’s aggrieved expression, her heart aching unbearably. “How could she hit you?”  

As she spoke, her voice unconsciously rose. Gu Yanli raised a hand to signal her to lower it. “Shh. If you’re any louder, I’ll get beaten again when I go back inside.”  

He pointed to his arm and chest. “This is what you can see. There’s more where you can’t, but I won’t strip to show you.” He sighed heavily. “Just… stop causing trouble for me.”  

“Otherwise, not only will I get hit, but she’ll also divorce me!”  

“And if I get divorced, I’ll be a divorced man. Next time I look for a wife, I’ll only be able to marry someone who’s been married before.”  

“Who knows, she might even bring two or three kids with her. I’d be a stepdad, and you’d be a step-grandma.”  

His gaze shifted to Gu Yinfeng and Gu Xiaohua, not sparing them either. “And you two would be step-aunts!”  

“With your own children, a little neglect is fine. But with stepchildren, you can’t afford even the slightest misstep. Otherwise, people will call you the ‘evil step-grandma’ behind your back.” Then he looked at the sisters. “And you two—the ‘wicked step-aunts!’”  

Gu Yinfeng: “…”  

Gu Xiaohua: “…”  

They couldn’t help but swallow hard, as if already picturing that horrifying scenario.  

Gu Yanli straightened his clothes. “So stop making trouble. Let me live my life in peace.”  

Then he added, “And don’t go asking her about it. She’s got a fiery temper. I’m young—getting hit, kicked, or bitten is fine. I’m tough. I’ll recover after a night’s sleep.”  

“But you’re different. Especially you, Mom. At your age, if she hits you, you won’t even make it to the courtyard gate to cry about it. You’ll just have to swallow the injustice.” He stared pointedly at Zhong Meixian.  

The intensity of his gaze sent a chill down her spine.  

Finally, as if remembering something, she nodded. “I… I understand.”  

Wen Tang had no idea that Gu Yanli had already painted her as an untouchable figure in front of her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law.  

Gu Yinfeng, unwilling to let it go, muttered, “Mom’s old, but you’re young and strong. You’re even an army officer. How could she possibly overpower you?”  

Gu Yanli turned an unamused look on his second sister. “And if I hit her back and made her miscarry?”  

He then asked Zhong Meixian, “Mom, would you be okay with me beating your future grandson out of existence?”  

Zhong Meixian immediately shot a furious glare at her second daughter.  

Gu Yinfeng mumbled, “How could she be pregnant so soon?”  

Gu Yanli remained expressionless, his face thick-skinned. “Second Sister, are you doubting my… capabilities?”  

Gu Yinfeng: “…”  

Gu Xiaohua tugged at her sister’s sleeve, signaling her to shut up.  

Gu Yinfeng stammered and lowered her head, saying nothing more.  

She really had no comeback!  

Her little brother had always been a wild card since childhood—defiant, uncontrollable, and sharp-tongued. He never followed rules and bowed to no one, whether it was his sisters or even his father. He’d argue with anyone, completely unrestrained.  

It was just that after joining the army, he was rarely home, and when he did return, he spoke little. She’d almost forgotten this untamed side of him.  

With Gu Yinfeng silenced, Gu Yanli glanced at the other two, who also seemed to have no further objections. Satisfied, he said, “Now that I’m married, I have no intention of divorcing. I don’t want to be a stepdad, and I don’t want my children calling someone else ‘Dad.’ So if anyone gets in my way, don’t blame me for cutting ties.” His expression grew stern toward the end.  

Zhong Meixian nodded hastily. “I… I understand.”  

“Good. I’m going to heat up her food now.”